On the sixth day of Christmas....

I would love to put a photo of Bruce up.....but I have to be honest.  I fell asleep on the couch and only remembered in the wee hours of the night that we hadn't done anything!!! EEEEEKKKK!  So he was very un-creatively placed on top of the curtain.....not even photo worthy.  I seem to be falling asleep anywhere these days....2012 and all it's craziness is finally starting to catch up on me.

With that being said, we did get creative yesterday though!  After Day 5's situation, Macie wrote a letter to Bruce to apologise.  After seeing her beautiful writing, all my 'screamy-ness' (is that even a word) disappeared.  This kid continues to amaze me each and every day.

iPhone pic

So, thanks to Macie's beautiful Ma who purchased her these amazing books, we got set to do some Christmas Decorations. 

One thing led to another and we ended up making Christmas Cards for all her special people with the decorations....

Plans for today are PJ day due to a little cough from a little girl...and a fourth tooth for a little boy....and maybe because my body is screaming at me to STOP before another crazy weekend of photo sessions!  Four more sessions to go for 2012....my god - where has the year gone? 

On the fourth day of Christmas...

Bruce had a big date with Snow last night.....

I made the fatal mistake of leaving Husbo in charge of setting them up.  Thankfully I could hear nothing but cheeky giggles and must admit I nearly died of laughter too.....but Snow was repositioned to a more G-Rated suitable posie and Macie was amazed again this morning. 

Admittedly, Macie wasn't too impressed with Snow ditching her for Bruce....but when asked by Leanne from the Post Office on our trip to town she proudly pronounced that "Bruce is with MY Barbie". 

I am a little blown away by just how popular Bruce is!  So many people stopped us today in town today to ask what Bruce was up to!  It just goes to show how many people follow this blog....and I still can't get my head around it.  Thank you to everyone for your support...and your interest in our very small life at the Cottage.

Today, it was bribery & corruption for a special activity only once a certain little girl had a nap. 

I'm pretty sure that Bruce delivered the goods....

And now the er *ahem* beautiful Christmas tree is now hanging proudly from our Tree.

Until Tomorrow.....

On the third day of Christmas....

As I write this, I am listening to Silent Night by Rachel Leahcar.  I'm addicted to it.  It sounds like the angels are singing to me.  I get all choked up and remember the long summer afternoons that I spent when I was a child singing to Christmas Carols with my sister.  We used to pump up the good ol CD player and sing our hearts out.  Why?  Because we could.  Christmas is such a magical time of the year....

Things have been pretty magical here at the Cottage too.  If we cancel out the ridiculously 40+ heat we endured over the weekend with our air conditioners decided to call it quits....it has been really magical!

Bruce has been a tad cheeky.....

Calling Barbie for his big date

 

Yesterday, we received a beautiful parcel in the mail from my parents, Mimi & Poppy.  This was the kids surprise for the day....

Christmas Bears for the kids to snuggle during the month of Christmas!  They absolutely loved it!

And I love them....



On the second day of Christmas...

On the second day of Christmas, Bruce the Elf was found getting into the Country Spirit and bucking on Daddy's replica horses! 

 

And for the Second Day of Advent.....Bruce the Elf left a fun activity (which is so damn easy to do!)....

All you need is:
1.  1 length of paper that fits around your childs head (like a headband)
2.  1 piece of brown paper to trace your childs hands - as this makes the antlers of the reindeer.
3.  2 round black dots (I just cut these from black paper)
4.  2 small white dots
5.  1 big red dot
6.  A stapler
7.  Scissors
8.  Glue

Firstly, measure the long length of paper to fit your childs head and staple together.  Trace your childs hands and then cut them out.  Staple the antlers onto the headband and then add the eyes and nose to make your RUDOLPH!  So so easy and so so much fun!

The talk around the cottage is that Bruce the Elf has the hots for Barbie....in that case, I better go and make sure she is all dressed pretty for her hot date tonight!

Santa Drop-Off

Obviously the most important part of Christmas, is writing a letter to Santa.  So yesterday, I sat down with Moo and we got down to business.

She dictated, I wrote.....

and then she decided that she was too interested in cutting the paper to make paper chains. May I add, since when did my baby become so clever with scissors? Seriously, I was freaking out - blurting out random "Watch your fingers"...."Are you sure you don't want Mummy to do it?"...."Please be careful"......and she stopped....grabbed my face with her tiny hands and looked me in the eyes. She said very slowly and very careful "Mum - I.can.do.it". Enough said.

So today, while Macie played at Daycare and William didn't know what was going on, Santa came to visit to decorate our house and deliver a very special "someone" for our darling children.

He placed a wreath on the door, put the Christmas tree up, decorated and made the cottage feel very festive.

He left a special present under the tree.....a book explaining all about his special someone....

and I wonder who that special "someone" will be???

And for now....we are off to town to pick up Macie.  I am beyond excitement....and I know that she will be too!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

If I had to choose one of my happiest childhood memories - it is without fail, Christmas.  Each and every year. 

My parents used to create this magical, mystical and amazing Christmas for my sister and I every single year.  Everything we did was so happy, so fun and most importantly, memorable.

If there is anything I want to do as a parent - it is to create these same memories for my babies.  Obviously Willsy is a little young for all the hype but Macie is sooo excited.  We only have to see Santa in the catalogues and she goes all goo-goo!  It makes my heart warm and fuzzy to see her innocence in full force.

So, this year - I've decided to create what I always talk about.  I'm going to create MAGIC for my children each and every day of Advent.

Instead of just an Advent Calendar from the shops - we've created an Advent Calendar box. 

It will sit proudly in the house with a new activity, gift and note from Santa every single day for Macie and William.....and I've got a good 2 days to get organised before the 1st of December dawns on me.  I'm talking Christmas Craft, Gingerbread Houses, Paper Chains, Candy Cane Treasure Hunts, Santa Sightings.....and yes my husbo is rolling his eyes at me but then reassures me "The kids are so lucky to have you Han!". 

Not only will it create magic.  But it will also force me to step away from the hussle and bussle of life - and enjoy my darling children.

It's starting to feel a bit like Christmas here.....how about you? 

The end product.....a bit of mod podge and a few ripped up magazines and VOILA.  Lots & Lots of Fun. 

Out of Macie's mouth....

I don't think anything can be as funny as the phrases that are coming out of Macie's mouth at the moment.  She has us in absolute stitches most days and we have to continuously remind ourselves that we have a little parrot that is listening to our E.V.E.R.Y word!

Some of the beauties at the moment.....

When Willy is crying...."It's alright buddy - no crying mate, it'll be OK.  Where's your happy face?  Do I need to help you find it?"...

When Willy is smiling...."Oh look at that Mummy - he is smiling!  Oh aren't you just a darling William!"

"GEDDDOWN"....when the bloody dogs are barking!

"COME ON CHOOKIES"....trying to get the chooks (who think they are dogs) to play with her.

"I'm SO Happy right now" after we had a special takeaway picnic to watch the fireworks at the show.

Heath was home the other day so I took full advantage and went and had a long shower, washed my hair and then straightened it.  I came out of the bedroom and she said "Oh Mummy - you look so beautiful".  Then later on in the morning, I placed my hair up into a ponytail.  Next thing I have Macie running up to me saying "Put your hair out Mummy - it looks so beautiful down!". 

When asked if she has thanked her Daddy she says "Oh Thanks BABE".....I call Heath "Babe"....oh dear!  She proceeded to say "Thanks Babe" to her Great-Grandma the other day.  Eek!

When she smells that Willy has a pooey bum....she will hold her nose and say "THAT'S DISGUSTING WILLIAM!"

If she spots Heath or I with anything in our mouths she will say "Get that out of your mouth right now!  What happens if you swallow it?  It will make your belly go "Ow"!!!". 

and the latest one is....

"I'M HUNGRY"....and she says this all day long!

She makes us laugh, scream, smile and cry - but at the end of the day, she is the most beautiful, delightful, clever and loving little girl that we are so proud to call our daughter.  What a priviledge to watch this little girl grow. 

**  All photos are of "Farmer Macie" who wants to spend her days on the tractor with her Daddy planting the wheat.  She waited by the window yesterday afternoon until he came to pick her up and then spent hours with him.  Seriously special memories. **

Supermoon last night!!  

Old-Fashion Fun

I woke up with the blues today.  I had the tears to match and I couldn't seem to find the sunshine in my day or the spring in my step. 

And then Heath came home and declared that he was taking us all to the Show...he knew it would fill my heart up with whatever was missing....
...and he was right.  It was such a magical few hours as a family - no tears, no tantrums and just plain old-fashioned fun!  These are the kind of afternoons where it makes all worth it.  X

Lately...

I was going through my iPhone this morning and it's always a good reminder of what we have been upto for the past few weeks....through the blurriness of iPhone quality photos!!

Macie's love for William has escalated to a new high.  William couldn't possibly have a big sister who is more loving and attentive.  She will make such a beautiful mummy when she is older.

I packed the kids in the car and did a flying visit to Toowoomba for ANZAC Day.  It was mayhem with all the grandkids together!

My sister managed to save these beauties from my cousin's garage!  The rocking horse was my sister's when she was a baby and the trike was actually my mums.  Photography Props Galore!!  I am planning a lick of paint and a bit of TLC on both!

Last week I declared (after many many tears of my own) that I was no longer going to fight with Macie for hours on end for her to have a daysleep.  Instead we hired 7 DVDs for $7 and each day all she needs to do is lie on her couch and watch her special movie.  Each day has resulted into this.....Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!!  But don't tell Moo that!!

14 days after getting the nasty Gastro bug, this little guy is smiling again.  It knocked his poor little body around and made him so sad and unsettled.  But we are on the other side and enjoying all the smiles and coos coming from this delightful little boy!  Can you believe he is 9 weeks old already?

Macie's Potty Chart has gone from this.....

to this.  Something just clicked for our Big Sis.  We are so totally over the moon about this!

Macie now goes to Daycare every Friday.  She loves it so much that I literally have to drag her out kicking and screaming in the afternoons.  I now spend the day in town....enjoying a quiet coffee....

...and a day fully devoted to my little man. 

Now the weather is much more pleasant, we are now going for walks around the farm with our 'babies'.  Macie seriously loves this.

This is my attempt at my sister's AMAZEBALLS chocolate slice....FAIL!

Christmas - Dalli Style

Sharing Christmas with a Santa-Mad two year old was my idea of FUN.  It's where magic happens and where my heart beat seems to speed up when I watch her face full of bewilderment and excitement as she opens presents and talks about Santa.  It was truly the best 4 days ever....

We were slightly worried that we would spending Christmas cleaning up the aftermath of a flash flood through Heath's parents house due to big rain upstream on Thursday.  Thankfully the water peaked within inches of going through their house and Santa was definitely on our side.  I have never seen a flood at the farm before and was so shocked to see how quickly the water levels rose...thankfully our shabby little cottage is on high ground! 

We spent Christmas Eve celebrating the fireworks display that our beautiful country town put on as a community event.  These fireworks put any display to shame - they are amazing and it is such a warm & fuzzy feeling to sit on the football field amongst all the locals sharing the same excitement.  Watching the kids run to Santa when he comes for a visit and then watching their faces as the sky lights up in a kalediscope of colour.  Macie spent the whole time going "BANG BANG BANG" and absolutely loved it.....and that is what Christmas is all about.

A HUGE thanks to Ma & Pa for taking these photos!

Christmas morning is where the magic all began....huge big eyes, happy smiles and the rest was history!

A huge day at the farm surrounded by all Heath's family.  Breakfast at the cottage, swimming in the Jumping Castle, playing on the swings, collapsing for a sleep while Heath & I get to enjoy a long lunch with everyone and then back up for an afternoon of fishing, laughing and lots of fun.  By 7pm Heath & I were more exhausted than Macie!!

Then off to my parent's on Boxing Day morning to do it all over again....

 Another day filled with so many special memories, long lunches while Macie slept, plenty of laughs, swimming and presents!  Macie tried out her new floaties in the pool with Heath and they were such a huge hit!! 

Now it's home for some peace and quiet before the next BIG milestone of our lives happens in Feb 2012......and when I say BIG....I really mean it....our little man is growing more and more every single day and February seriously can't come quick enough!  We are so so so excited and can't wait for Macie to be a big sister - because we know that she will love him to bits!

So much to be thankful for in 2011....and so much to be excited for in 2012!  Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a safe New Year!  I shall be spending mine on the couch cuddling up to the husbo!!  X